Senior Meghalaya Congress leader and former chief executive member (CEM) of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) – PN Syiem has slammed termed the ‘merger’ of 12 MLAs with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as a “political suicide” for the defected legislators.
12 MLAs in Meghalaya, including former chief minister Mukul Sangma, had quit the Congress last month and joined the TMC recently.
“It is a political suicide for them. Mukul Sangma must be thinking that he will return as chief minister of Meghalaya riding on TMC’s growth. But he is wrong. He will not come back to power in 2023,” PN Syiem said.
He added: “I spoke to the local leaders and people in Garo Hills region, the region from where Mukul Sangma hails, and they were clear that Mukul Sangma will not win more than three seats.”
Also read: Assam: Siksha Valley School in Dibrugarh declared micro-containment zone
Meghalaya Congress leader PN Syiem further said that the people of the state will never accept the TMC.
“It will take at least 10 to 15 years for the people in Meghalaya to finally come to terms with the TMC. Do you really think that people in places like Nongthymmai and Mawsynram will vote for the TMC?” said Syiem.
He exuded confidence that the Congress party, despite the crisis that it finds itself following the defection of 12 MLAs, will wrest power in Meghalaya in 2023.
“We have enough time to reorganise and plan and implement a new strategy,” PN Syiem added.